About

The City Watch wear cloaks, usually made of heavy wool, dyed gold. They are equipped with mail armor, iron cudgels, iron spears, dirks, and occasionally longswords. Their armor, boots, and gloves are black.[5] The officers (such as the captains of the gates of the city) wear black breastplates ornamented with four golden disks.[6] They can be used as guards, foot soldiers, or in some cases, as mounted lancers.[7] Nonetheless, the watchmen are not true soldiers, and their discipline in a pitched battle shows this fact. Tyrion Lannister goes so far as to state that, of the six thousand watchmen under his command, only a quarter of them (fifteen hundred) are reliable as actual soldiers.[8]

Prince Daemon Targaryen once commanded the watch, from 104–105 AC. He was the one who instituted their uniform use of equipment, including the golden cloaks from which they get their name. The weapons he issued were dirk, short sword, and cudgel. There were two thousand gold cloaks at his time.[13]

When the Targaryens were overthrown during Robert's Rebellion, the new king, Robert I Baratheon, continued the institution of the gold cloaks. Janos Slynt became their commander after the death of Manly Stokeworth.[16] During his rule as commander of the gold cloaks, Janos was known for taking bribes and selling positions and promotions. By the end of his tenure, over half the officers were paying him part of their salaries. Lord Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, discovered this, and had two men who were willing to come forward to testify against Janos, but both were found dead a short time later. Robert recognized Janos's corruption, but allowed him to remain in his position, arguing his successor might be worse. The king's brother, Lord Stannis, felt Lord Petyr Baelish had convinced Robert to retain Janos.[17]

After Robert's death, Petyr Baelish tells Eddard he will make certain the gold cloaks are loyal to him in the power struggle against Queen Cersei Lannister, with a bribe of six thousand gold coins.[18] In truth, Baelish bribes Slynt to support the queen, which is ultimately successful when Janos and one hundred gold cloaks accompany Eddard to the throne room and betray him, killing his men.[19] Janos is rewarded with lordship over Harrenhal.[20] After being dismissed from the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan Selmy kills the gold cloaks that Janos sends to arrest him.[21][22]

During the riot of King's Landing, Ser Jacelyn and a wedge of mounted lancers charge down the streets in an effort to defend the royal party, while numerous others form lines of spears before the smallfolk. In total, nine gold cloaks are slain and forty wounded.[7] Tyrion sends Jacelyn to take Prince Tommen Baratheon into custody at Rosby, confronting his sworn shield Ser Boros Blount without bloodshed, and seizing Rosby to hold him there.[27]

Towards the end of his term, Slynt had tripled the number of the gold cloaks, making them six thousand strong.[7] Despite this, the new watchmen are poorly trained, and many are drunks, brutes, or cravens who joined for the promise of bread. Also, as Kingslanders, few have love for House Lannister after the Sack of King's Landing.[8]

When Stannis arrives and the Battle of the Blackwater begins, the Watch constitutes the bulk of the defending force.[28] When King Joffrey withdraws from the walls, the men break. Commander Bywater attempts to rally them, but is killed by his own men on the cusp of success.[29]

A Storm of Swords

After figuring casualties and desertions, the number of men available is down to forty-four hundred.[29] Command falls to Ser Addam Marbrand, Lord Tywin Lannister's daring cavalry captain. Despite problems with paying the men, Commander Marbrand is forbidden by Queen Cersei from dismissing any from service.[29] Some who deserted in the Battle of the Blackwater return to the barracks, trying to take up service again, and Tywin orders Addam to break their knees.[30]

When being brought to his trial for the death of Joffrey, Tyrion is escorted by Addam and six watchmen rather than the Kingsguard, most of whom had testified against him. A hundred gold cloaks stand guard in the throne room.[33][34]

Known members of the City Watch

Quotes

For the sake of the love I bear for Catelyn, I will go to Janos Slynt this very hour and make certain that the City Watch is yours. Six thousand gold pieces should do it. A third for the Commander, a third for the officers, a third for the men. We might be able to buy them for half that much, but I prefer not to take chances.[18]